These buffalo chicken meatballs are the perfect healthier alternative to offer on your appetizer table. Serve them on a hoagie roll or with some tasty sides and then you've got a great easy dinner that you can make in minutes!
Buffalo Chicken Meatball Recipe
These aren't your average meatballs. In fact, they're the most delicious and moist chicken meatballs that you'll ever have. Okay, that may be a bold statement, but trust me y'all, these are so good.
I love using ground chicken since it's less calories and lower in fat than ground beef. It's the same reason I like to make grilled chicken burgers! You can enjoy these healthy buffalo chicken meatballs with all of the flavor and none of the guilt.
Meatballs are so versatile too! I make rosemary chicken meatballs when I need something fancy. But I love to throw together some easy spaghetti and meatballs for a weeknight dinner too.
Chicken wings are already a hit on game day, so taking that idea and making meatballs is genius. They're the perfect party appetizer since they're easy to eat and make a double batch to feed a crowd.
So, if you're a fan of buffalo chicken wings or buffalo chicken dip, you're going to drool over these easy meatballs!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- You can use whatever wing sauce you'd like to toss the meatballs in. It's a really adaptable recipe and you can flavor it to fit your preferences.
- It will only take you about 35 minutes to make buffalo meatballs.
- If you're looking for low carb recipes, these tender meatballs fit the bill.
Ingredients
Here's what to add to your grocery store list so that you'll have everything on hand to make this buffalo chicken meatballs recipe:
- ground chicken
- buffalo sauce
- large egg
- plain bread crumbs
- chopped green onions
- minced garlic
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
Substitutions and Variations
In order to make this recipe gluten free, use gluten-free bread crumbs in these buffalo chicken meatballs.
Buffalo sauce pairs well with chicken, which is why ground chicken tastes so great in this recipe! But you could substitute it for ground turkey or ground beef, just be aware that the flavor will slightly change.
You can use store-bought buffalo sauce like Frank's Red Hot, or make a homemade buffalo sauce.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Now, let's get to making this recipe!
Preheat the oven to 400°F and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine bread crumbs, ground chicken, half of the buffalo sauce, one large egg, diced green onion, minced garlic, and seasonings in one large bowl.
Hot Tip: Use your hands to mix the ingredients! It's so much easier and the ingredients get more evenly spread out through the mixture. It may just be the secret to making these meatballs extra perfect!
Mix thoroughly until all of the ingredients are combined. It will look like this:
Then it's time to form the meatballs and get them in the oven.
Use a cookie scoop or a large spoon to scoop out the meatball mixture. Roll each scoop into round balls between the palms of your hands.
Then, place each meatball onto the previously prepared baking sheet and repeat this process until all of the buffalo chicken meatball mixture is used.
Bake in a preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, until each meatball is golden brown on the top.
Place cooked meatballs into another large mixing bowl and toss with the remaining buffalo sauce.
Remove each meatball and place them on your chosen serving platter. Garnish with buffalo sauce drizzle, ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles, or finely chopped green onions.
Then serve and enjoy!
How to Store Leftover Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Place leftover meatballs into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. This recipe freezes well too! Just place them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To reheat, let meatballs thaw from frozen. You can then heat them in the microwave or on the stove top until warmed through. Toss with some extra buffalo sauce, then add any garnishes and serve!
What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Buffalo chicken meatballs are an excellent appetizer for parties, tailgates, the Super Bowl, game day, watch parties, summer cookouts and more.
Serve delicious buffalo chicken meatballs with your favorite dipping sauces. Blue cheese dressing and homemade ranch dressing are my favorite pairings! Sour cream, Greek yogurt or whipped feta dip could be great too.
Carrot sticks and celery sticks are great to eat alongside these meatballs too, as they're a fun alternative to buffalo chicken wings.
These meatballs work as the whole meal, too. Serve meatballs on a sub roll to make a buffalo chicken meatball sub, a fun version of the buffalo chicken sandwich. You could also enjoy them over a bed of pasta or rice.
Tips for Success
- Don't have parchment paper? Try lining your sheet pan with aluminum foil. It will help reduce your clean-up time.
- Make sure you roll your meatballs into 1 ½ inch balls and that they are all even. This will ensure that they bake evenly and cook all the way through.
- Use an instant read thermometer so that you can quickly tell if the meatballs are reaching the right internal temperature.
FAQ
The key to making meatballs that won't fall apart is to add some binders like egg and bread crumbs. In fact if you follow the recipe exactly, these meatballs will stay together wonderfully!
Nope! Chilling meatballs is a great step to take to help meatballs keep their shape as they bake. However, it is not necessary to do for these buffalo chicken meatballs.
More Meatball Recipes
If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ½ cup buffalo sauce divided
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 finely chopped green onions
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, half of the buffalo sauce, egg, breadcrumbs, green onion, garlic and seasonings. Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop the meatball mixture into round balls about 1½ inches in size, rolling in between the palms of your hands. Place each meatball onto the lined baking sheet and repeat until the mixture is completely used.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the meatballs are golden brown.
- Add meatballs to a large mixing bowl. Top with the remaining buffalo sauce and toss until well-coated. They shouldn't be drenched in sauce, but enough to soak into the meatballs.
- Garnish with drizzles of more buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles and finely-chopped green onions.
Erin says
I absolutely will try it, and I've already put ground chicken on my grocery list. We love meatballs in this house, and I cannot wait.
And you're welcome! Happy to feature this and that this post is really popular. It should be! Sometimes, the dishes you think are too simple are the best ones.
Erin says
Love this, Madison! Like you, I studied abroad in Italy, and that definitely spurred my love for food, though I've always had a love affair with it, too.
These meatballs sound simple and delicious. And would you believe I've never made chicken meatballs before? I need to fix this PRONTO!
Thanks for sharing this at last week's That's Fresh Friday Link Up! This was one of my favorites shared, and I'll be sharing it on my site tomorrow evening to kick off this week's party. Keep up the great work!
Erin says
Love this, Madison! Like you, I studied abroad in Italy, and that definitely spurred my love for food, though I've always had a love affair with it, too.
These meatballs sound simple and delicious. And would you believe I've never made chicken meatballs before? I need to fix this PRONTO!
Thanks for sharing this at last week's That's Fresh Friday Link Up! This was one of my favorites shared, and I'll be sharing it on my site tomorrow evening to kick off this week's party. Keep up the great work!
Madison says
You have to try it! There's something definitely unique about it. I love it! Awe, thank you for sharing it! You know, it's funny because I didn't know how this post would do. I was thinking to myself that it was JUST spaghetti and meatballs, but it's been really popular 🙂 I'm so excited to be featured!
Erin says
I absolutely will try it, and I've already put ground chicken on my grocery list. We love meatballs in this house, and I cannot wait.
And you're welcome! Happy to feature this and that this post is really popular. It should be! Sometimes, the dishes you think are too simple are the best ones.
Jenna Secrist says
No, I haven't! I usually make mine with pork and beef, but chicken or turkey sound much healthier. 🙂
Gen Delali says
they look so yummy! i bet they taste delicious too!
Gen Delali says
they look so yummy! i bet they taste delicious too!
Madison says
Oh my, anything with bacon is a win in my book! Was that a restaurant in ABQ? I'm not a huge caper fan but adding arugula sounds like a wonderful idea!
Madison says
Thanks Emma! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Amberly says
Pretty much! 🙂 Joe hates it because he's a red meat guy and most of my dishes are chicken or meatless 😉
Madison says
I think you'll really like it! I have always just loved pasta. Actually if it were up to me, I wouldn't worry about having meat with a dish, but the hubby has to have it with a meal 🙂
Madaline says
Living in Italy we LOVE meatballs. This recipe looks awesome and EASY (which is key for me!). Going to try this next week!!
Madaline says
Living in Italy we LOVE meatballs. This recipe looks awesome and EASY (which is key for me!). Going to try this next week!!
Madison says
I'm the same! I didn't grow up eating red meat, I eat it now but I'll usually choose chicken any day!
Madison says
Thanks Paris! Hope you like them.
Jana Tolman says
It was! It was called Vivace--it was on Central. Sadly they closed in 2012. 🙁 It was easily the best Italian food in Albuquerque.
Amberly says
Yum!!! I will have to make these! 🙂 I love meatballs on pasta, but I'm not a big beef fan. These sound delicious though!
Madison says
I know what you mean... With this recipe the breadcrumbs (I use Italian so it has some spices) and cheese really help the flavor! They're definitely good for low carb and a good source of protein!
Madison says
I haven't! Sounds very interesting though. My hubby isn't a huge fan of eggplant... we have tried a couple different recipes and it doesn't do anything for him. Maybe I can try it for friends sometime!
Madison says
Mine too, girl. I knew there was a reason I liked you 😉 You should totally make them!! They're so easy and so delicious. I hope you guys like it! Let me know!
Madison says
Honestly they're so easy to make! I'm talking 20 minutes tops, definitely not something you have to slave over! I hope you'll try it 🙂
Madison says
He may notice just because of the color difference but I think the deliciousness is equal! 🙂
Madison says
You're welcome! I hope you'll try it and enjoy it! 🙂
Jana Tolman says
YUM! I love meatballs. I worked in an Italian restaurant and I was addicted to our house made meatballs. We ground all of the meat ourselves--it was a ratio of 3 parts beef to 1 part BACON. MMMM! I was always eating them while I was working. 🙂
I love chicken meatballs too! My favorite is to add arugula and capers into the mix. 🙂
Jana Tolman says
YUM! I love meatballs. I worked in an Italian restaurant and I was addicted to our house made meatballs. We ground all of the meat ourselves--it was a ratio of 3 parts beef to 1 part BACON. MMMM! I was always eating them while I was working. 🙂
I love chicken meatballs too! My favorite is to add arugula and capers into the mix. 🙂
Madison says
Oh my, anything with bacon is a win in my book! Was that a restaurant in ABQ? I'm not a huge caper fan but adding arugula sounds like a wonderful idea!
Jana Tolman says
It was! It was called Vivace--it was on Central. Sadly they closed in 2012. 🙁 It was easily the best Italian food in Albuquerque.
Madison says
How interesting! I have had a hard time finding it at Walmart sometimes, so it's not totally unthinkable that you wouldn't be able to find it! Hopefully someday you'll be able to try it out but using this recipe with turkey instead is very similar and equally delicious 🙂
Amy Hodgdon says
These look amazing! I have honestly never even thought of making meatballs before! It's not a dish we grew up with, but I am totally inspired! I am going to put it on my list of dishes to make- and pin it as well!
Thanks lady!
Amy Hodgdon says
These look amazing! I have honestly never even thought of making meatballs before! It's not a dish we grew up with, but I am totally inspired! I am going to put it on my list of dishes to make- and pin it as well!
Thanks lady!
Madison says
I think you'll really like it! I have always just loved pasta. Actually if it were up to me, I wouldn't worry about having meat with a dish, but the hubby has to have it with a meal 🙂
Emma Newell says
These look delicious!! I'm going to have to try these for a dinner & wine night with friends! Thanks for sharing! xo Emma http://defineddesigns-emma.blogspot.com
Emma Newell says
These look delicious!! I'm going to have to try these for a dinner & wine night with friends! Thanks for sharing! xo Emma http://defineddesigns-emma.blogspot.com
Madison says
Thanks Emma! Hope you enjoy them 🙂
Amberly says
Yum!!! I will have to make these! 🙂 I love meatballs on pasta, but I'm not a big beef fan. These sound delicious though!
Amberly-A Prioritized Marriage says
Yum!!! I will have to make these! 🙂 I love meatballs on pasta, but I'm not a big beef fan. These sound delicious though!
Madison says
I'm the same! I didn't grow up eating red meat, I eat it now but I'll usually choose chicken any day!
Amberly-A Prioritized Marriage says
Pretty much! 🙂 Joe hates it because he's a red meat guy and most of my dishes are chicken or meatless 😉
Paris says
These sound yummy! I've pinned.
Paris says
These sound yummy! I've pinned.
Madison says
Thanks Paris! Hope you like them.
Poised In Print says
My habibti loves ground chicken over ground beef, so these would be a hit for him. I have to keep practicing on how to properly season ground chicken. Meatball are one of my favorites, especially when I'm trying to stick to low carb.
Reginia Cordell says
My habibti loves ground chicken over ground beef, so these would be a hit for him. I have to keep practicing on how to properly season ground chicken. Meatball are one of my favorites, especially when I'm trying to stick to low carb.
Madison says
I know what you mean... With this recipe the breadcrumbs (I use Italian so it has some spices) and cheese really help the flavor! They're definitely good for low carb and a good source of protein!
Elizabeth Webber Akre says
I make meatballs with turkey because I think it's more tender than ground beef. I bet chicken is the same way. Have you ever heard of eggplant "meatballs"? http://akreeats.blogspot.com/2013/10/eggplant-disguised-as-meatball.html
Madison says
I haven't! Sounds very interesting though. My hubby isn't a huge fan of eggplant... we have tried a couple different recipes and it doesn't do anything for him. Maybe I can try it for friends sometime!
Teresa says
Italian food is my favorite! I could eat pasta all day every day and never get tired of it. I've actually never made meatballs which is so silly because my mom has this amazing crockpot meatball recipe that I love. I'm putting this on my meal plan for next week. Thank you for sharing!
Teresa says
Italian food is my favorite! I could eat pasta all day every day and never get tired of it. I've actually never made meatballs which is so silly because my mom has this amazing crockpot meatball recipe that I love. I'm putting this on my meal plan for next week. Thank you for sharing!
Madison says
Mine too, girl. I knew there was a reason I liked you 😉 You should totally make them!! They're so easy and so delicious. I hope you guys like it! Let me know!
Alli Smith says
I used to make meatballs from scratch, but lately I just buy those frozen kind from Sam's! This post makes me want to make them again, using your recipe!
Alli Smith says
I used to make meatballs from scratch, but lately I just buy those frozen kind from Sam's! This post makes me want to make them again, using your recipe!
Madison says
Honestly they're so easy to make! I'm talking 20 minutes tops, definitely not something you have to slave over! I hope you'll try it 🙂
Aimee Fauci says
You just said.. chicken meatballs! That is so interesting and probably much healthier.. I will pin and see if my husband notices.. this could be fun!
Madison says
He may notice just because of the color difference but I think the deliciousness is equal! 🙂
Tammy says
I have never thought about using ground chicken for meatballs. This does sound yummy and I do love spaghetti. Thanks for sharing.
Tammy says
I have never thought about using ground chicken for meatballs. This does sound yummy and I do love spaghetti. Thanks for sharing.
Madison says
You're welcome! I hope you'll try it and enjoy it! 🙂
Rachel Cox says
Yummy!!! I can never find ground chicken in this small town! But these sound so so amazing!
Madison says
How interesting! I have had a hard time finding it at Walmart sometimes, so it's not totally unthinkable that you wouldn't be able to find it! Hopefully someday you'll be able to try it out but using this recipe with turkey instead is very similar and equally delicious 🙂
Jenna Secrist says
Yum yum yummy yum! Meatballs are seriously one of my favorite things and these look delicious. Handmade meatballs are seriously so much better than the frozen kind. After making them for the first time, there's no way I could go back! I'm adding this recipe to my "must try" list!
Jenna Griffin says
Yum yum yummy yum! Meatballs are seriously one of my favorite things and these look delicious. Handmade meatballs are seriously so much better than the frozen kind. After making them for the first time, there's no way I could go back! I'm adding this recipe to my "must try" list!
Madison says
Have you ever made them with chicken? Making them with turkey is probably my favorite, but they're still so yummy with chicken!
Jenna Griffin says
No, I haven't! I usually make mine with pork and beef, but chicken or turkey sound much healthier. 🙂